In his first public statements since a devastating rebel bombing wiped out his top security officers, Assad told his new army chief of staff Sunday to "continue the armed forces' pursuit of terrorists."

Despite being forced out of several Damascus suburbs on Sunday, SNC spokesman George Sabra said in the statement the heavy fighting that has broken out in the capital and the country's second city Aleppo in recent days was an important sign of rebel progress.

"What is happening in Damascus and Aleppo and other Syrian towns in recent days is a crucial step to establish a new phase of history in our country and the region as well," he said.

"This is a message provided by the revolution to the people that says very clearly that the regime is going to its inevitable end."

Sabra called on the Syrian population to back the rebels, urging that to do their best "to facilitate the new birth of their nation after the fall of tyranny."

Meanwhile, William Hague and his French counterpart called for a boost in European Union aid to the tens of thousands of fleeing Syrians.

"We have to step up humanitarian assistance for the people fleeing," said the Foreign Secretary as French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius too stepped into the meeting saying: "We must help neighbouring countries."